Symptoms Of Mastitis

A customer phoned up yesterday looking for a comfortable bra as she was suffering with Mastitis and I recalled – quite vividly - an episode that I suffered when I was breast feeding. Mastitis is not something that you need when your body has just undergone considerable change and is just starting to get back to somewhere close to its former shape!

For those of you who are expecting you need to be aware of what the symptoms are so you can act on it as soon as possible:

Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue, it normally occurs when a mother is breastfeeding; however it can occur in women at other times too. The cause can be due to an infection – nearly always bacterial – as a result of a cracked nipple, or due to engorgement and blocked milk ducts.

The symptoms range from a mild,

• feeling hot,
  
• uncomfortable and
  
• very thirsty (although you often are when breastfeeding anyway) and
  
• you may notice a red inflamed ‘patch’ on one breast

to an infection that may include:

• a high temperature,
  
• vomiting,
  
• general flu like symptoms and
  
• the breast , although sometimes it does affect both breasts, may become hot, red, swollen and
  
• the nipples may produce pus.

If the latter is the case you will need to seek medical advice and treatment as antibiotics may be the only way to sort the infection out.

Engorgement can be the route of Mastitis and this is due to the breasts not emptying properly at each feed, and you may notice that the breast becomes swollen, sore and lumpy and the ducts that you see on the breast may appear like hard cords.

What is important is that you continue to breast feed and whilst this may be painful if you do not, the body will react to the fall in the need to produce milk and will slow milk production down, if you have an infection your Doctor will advise you on the safety of breastfeeding and may advise you to express your milk until the bout is over and more comfortable for you to do so.

I know that a warm flannel to the affected breast helped to relieve my symptoms and massage may help too, although I have read that cooling treatments help too and a gel pack straight from the fridge may do the trick. Also laying the outer green leaves of cabbages on the breasts can help reduce the pain of engorged breasts.

The main thing is trying to avoid an episode and as you have probably gathered, ensuring that the breasts are fully expressed after each feed is a good start as is trying to get as much rest as your able as you need your immune system in tip top shape and it may be that your baby is not ‘latching on’ properly at feeding time so check out any nipple soreness with your midwife as soon as possible.

So back to the original question about a bra when you are suffering from Mastitis, you will need a good breathable fabric and plenty of support and several bras as you will need to wash them frequently.

Ref 1613 This bra has 100% cotton cups that are lined in cotton too for extra support and comfort, with powernet panels to the back and sides to give the back support, available in sizes 36 to 46 in cup sizes D,E,F,G and H


Ref 5051. This 90% cotton bra has the added feature of zigzag quilting cotton mesh at the back and extra padding on the shoulder straps and is available in sizes 32 to 48 in cup sizes D,E and F, 32 to 42 in sup sizes G and H, 32 to 40 in cup size.

If you would like any help and advice about a nursing bra then contact the Ample Bosom office online or on 01439 798388 and one of the team will be more than happy to advise you.

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